Propelling mechanism.



J. C. FLEMING. PROPELLING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 3, 1908.

916,430. Patented Mar. 30, 1909;

Wif'flesss Inventor )U J0siah,C'.FZemin y W W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSIAH C. FLEMING, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DETROIT HOIST & MACHINE COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

PROPELLIN G MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 30, 1909.

Application filed June 3, 1908. Serial No. 436,387.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosrAn O. FLEMING, a

citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of l/Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. The invention relates to a propelling mechanism especially designed in the present instance for use in connection with locomotive turntables, but applicable as will be apparent from its construction to other analogous uses.

The invention consists primarily in mechanism of this character having traction-inducing means other than the usual s rings or similar appliances heretofore emp oyed, whereby a simple, less expensive and a more efficient ap aratus is obtained, and one in which the iability of breakage and the necessity of repair is reduced to a minimum.

The invention further consists in the novel construction of a supporting frame, in the connections between t e frame and the device to be pro elled, and still further in certain details 0 construction as willbe more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings illustrating my invention Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pro elling mechanism as applied to a turnta le; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the motor; and Fig. 3 is a detached plan view of the attaching end of the supporting frame.

In general, the apparatus comprises a su porting frame, as A connected to a turntab e or other device to be driven, a traction wheel B journaled in hearings on the frame, and a motor C for driving the traction wheel. The frame, as shown, is an elongated structure, the traction wheel being journaled in bearings D in its forward or attaching end, and the motor mounted upon the projecting portion of the frame beyond the traction wheel. With the parts arranged and constructed in this manner, the supporting frame constitutes a lever of the second class, in which the weight of the projecting portion of the frame and that of the motor is utilized in pressing the traction wheel to the track, thereby producing the desired traction, and this without the use of springs or other similar devices heretofore employed.

The preferred form of frame is illustrated, consisting of a single structural member, preferably a channel bar, bent into yokeshaped form, with its free ends adjacent to the turntable F or other device that is to be propelled. Intermediate the free ends of the frame bar is bolted a cross member G,pref erably a yoke-shaped casting,and pro ecting forwardly beyond the frame and forming preferably part of the casting are spaced apertured cars a, forming pivot members. H represents an attachment, also preferably a casting, adapted to be suitably bolted to the turntable or other device to be driven. This in turn is provided with a cooperating pivot member or members, in this instance in the form of a tubular bearing (Z extending intermediate the ears, as shown.

6 represents a bolt or pivot pin engaging the members and completing the coupling between the table and frame.

It is frequently necessary,-especially where the propelling mechanism is used in connection with turntablos,to effect a lateral adjustment between the table and frame, in order that the propelling mechanism may properly follow the turntable during its rotation. I have therefore provided for such an adjustment by making preferably the tubular bearing (1 of considerably less length than the distance between the projecting ears, and filling the space upon either side of the bearing by washers, as f. Thus, the apparatus may be shifted laterally in relation to the device to be driven in either direction by increasing or diminishing the number of washers upon the respective sides of the attachment coupling.

The motor for driving the mechanism may be of any suitable construction, but I have herein shown the same as a compressed air motor provided with a suitable supply conduit I and an exhaust pipe J. The motor, as shown, is mounted directly upon transverse supports a and b, which in turn are suitably bolted to the frame flanges.

Any suitable drive connection may be employed between the motor and traction wheel. I have herein shown a gear train, consisting of a pinion I fixed upon the motorshaft Q, meshing with a spur gear R upon a transverse shaft S mounted in bearings T upon the supporting frame, as shown in Fig. 1.

U representsa pinion fixed to the shaft S, which meshes with a 'spur-gear-V 'fiXed upon the traction wheel.

For convenience in; operation I 1 have .1 provided controlling means 'for' the motoreX- tending from the latter to the turntable. This mechanism consists of a main operating lever K for the motor, a longitudinally 6X- tend'ing ilever Lt extending from'sthe firstmentioned lever to a standard M on the turntable, and a handle or other suitable operating member, as, O, pivoted to the standaid and" having a pivotalrconnection at its lower end with the member L.

"VVhat- I claim' asmy invention is,

' 1. 'An automatidpropelling 'mec-hanism, comprising a horizontally supportingframe adapted for attachment atone end'with the device to be propelled; of a traction" wheel journa-led "in bearings upon the framein proximity to its attaching end, afluid motor mounted upon thezopposite end of thel'frame beyond the traction wheel, and a drive connecti'onv between said motor and wheel.

2. Thecombination with atturntable, automatic propelling mechanism therefor comprising a horizontal supporting frame pivoted atone send 'to the table, a powermotor mounted up-oir'its opposite end, a traction wheel journaled iii bearings upon the frame between its point -of: attachment and the motor, and" a gear'connection between said motor and wheel.

3. In automatic propelling mechanismior turntables thecombination with an attachment adapted to be" connected to the table, a horizontal supporting frame pivoted to the attachment, a traction wheel. journ'aled' upon the frame near the pivot, a power motor upon the'frame'end opposite the'point of at tachment, and a drive 'connectionbetweenj saidmotor and wheel.

4. In a propelling mechanism, the combination with a supporting'frame, consisting of a single structural member fashioned into yoke-shaped form, atraction wheel within theirame journaled in suitable bearings thereon, and a motor also'm'ounted. upon the frame for driving the wheel.

5. In a propelling mechanism, the combination' with an elongated sup porting frame, consisting of a single laterally flanged'yokeshaped member, means 'for attachment with the device to be propelled located 1 between the extremities of .said member, a traction tween-said .motor and wheel.

- 65 A propelling mechanism, consisting of a supporting frame composed of a single yokeshapedmember, a cross bar connecting the yoke ends and carrying means for attachment tothe device to be pro )elled, a motor -up.on;the. frame, .a traction wneel within the frame journaled in bearings upon the latter intermediate the motor and cross member, and a drive connection-between them'otor I and wheel.

7.'fIn a opelling mechanism, the combivna'tioniwit an elongated supporting frame, composed of a single yoke shaped bar, a cross member connectingthe bar ends, anat- 1 tachment adapted to be connected to the device to be propelled, cooperating pivot members-uponthe attachment and cross -member, and apivot pin connecting said members, a traction wheel journaled in bearings upon the'frame, and amotor alsoiupon the frame having a drive connection with the wheel.

8. The combination with a turntable, of a supporting'frame pivoted at one end-thereto,

a motor upon the frame, a traction wheel f ournaled 1n bearings upon the frameinterme'dlate -the motor and turntable, a=dr1ve connection be'tween' the wheeland motor,

and controlling means for saidmotor extendiingfrom the latter to the turntable.

9;In' a propelling mechanism, the combi-' nation with the supporting frame, of an attachment adapted to be-connected to the device to'be propelled, cooperating pivot mem bers upon theframe and attachment, a pivot *b'ar engaging the members, and means for eflecting a relative lateral adjustment between the pivot members.

10. The combination with a turntable, of a supporting frame carrying a traction Wheel,

and a motor for operating the same, a hori- Zontal piv'ot connecting the frame and table,

and meansjfor laterally adjusting the'irame at its. point of attachment.

' In testimony whereofI afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSIAH O; FLEMING.

Witnesses NELLIE KINSELLA, J "AMES RBARRY. 

